About

Google Drive is a cloud based storage system. Cloud based means that the information uploaded or created with Google Drive remains on Google's servers. This is an additional protection against data loss if your hard drive fails, or your files become inaccessible. Google Drive is available to all users that have a Google login. Google Drive lets you create documents (text document, spreadsheet, slideshow) and store them online accessible with your Google credentials as well as allowing you to save documents created with other programs as well such as Finale, Adobe Creative Suite and many others. Documents created in Google Drive are able to be shared and edited with people you grant access. You can also upload documents to Google Drive and access them from any location, if you have an Internet connection.

If you are a Gustavus user, you have a Google Drive account associated with Gustavus. If you are also a Gmail user, you have at least two Google Drive Accounts (one for each gmail account, and one Gustavus account). These two accounts are separate, however you are able to share the documents between the accounts.

Information Security

Confidential Data such as the following should never be stored on Google Drive:

Accessing Account

That's a great question! The method for access varies depending on which account you wish to access.

Gustavus account

Inputting your Full Gustavus Email Address

The login process for accessing your Gustavus Gooogle drive looks slightly different. After visiting http://www.drive.google.com, enter your full Gustavus email in the email field. This mean "username@gustavus.edu", and not "username@gac.edu". You can either enter your Gustavus password or not. Whether or not you enter your password does not matter, because Google recognizes the Gustavus account, and forwards you to the Gustavus login page.

Gmail account

Google Drive Login Screen

If you are looking to access your Google Drive account associated with a gmail address, visit http://drive.google.com. You will then be prompted with a login screen. Input your gmail email address and your password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you may be asked to enter a code before Google Drive will allow you to access your files. Two Factor Authentication is optional and takes deliberate, specific steps to set up. If you're reading this, and have no idea what two-factor authentication is, you likely don't have it and thus, do not need to worry. For more information regarding two-factor authentication, please see Google's two-factor authentication information page.

Creating Files

Uploading

Uploading a Folder

Google Drive allows for single file upload as well as a folder full of documents to make uploading a lot of files easier. To upload a folder while using a web browser, click and drag your folder onto the Google Drive web page. You will see a big blue circle with a (+) on it and it also will say "Incoming."

Uploading a file

Click the red New button on the left menu.

Click File Upload

Choose file from your computer to upload and click Choose.

Upload Video

iPhone

Create video on iPhone

Open up Google Drive app (Use Gustavus account)

Click the + in the upper right corner.

Click Upload Photos or Videos.

Allow access to photos.

Choose video to download, click the check mark in upper right hand corner. (The video will upload)

Click the the 3 horizontal lines in the upper left corner, then click recent.

How much can my Drive hold?

Google Drive Desktop Application

Google gives you the option of installing Google Drive on your computer. This means that you will have a Google Drive folder stored on your computer that is connected to your Google Drive. Saving a file in your Google Drive folder on your computer means that your computer will also save it online. This is very useful as a backup for important files.

To install the Desktop Application, visit the Google Drive web site and choose the type of Device (Mac, Android, PC, etc) that you are using.

More Questions?

Please visit Google Drive's help page. If in need of further assistance with your Gustavus Google Drive, please call Technology Services at 507-933-6111.